Chris Paul will celebrate his 40th birthday next month, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to end his NBA career. In an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, the Spurs guard says he’ll talk to his family about it this summer, but he wants to keep playing.
“I’ll be 40 in May. So, yeah man, I’m going to keep playing, I think,” Paul said. “At the end of every season, I evaluate everything. Evaluate playing. Evaluate how my body feels. But the more years that go by, it’s more conversations with my family, with my kids. They have a lot of say so. They got a lot of input. Obviously, I got a lot of homies, friends that have retired or whatnot. And they are always like, ‘Man, play as long as you possibly can. Play as long as you possibly can.’ And I appreciate that. But I also, I just always want to talk to my kids about it because that’s the most important job that I have.”
Paul, who was selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the fourth pick in the 2005 draft, is the second-oldest player in the league, a few months behind LeBron James. He has been extremely durable in his 20th NBA season, starting all 76 of San Antonio’s games, but he’s averaging a career-low 8.8 points per game while shooting a career-worst 42.8% from the field.
Spears notes that rookie guard Stephon Castle is likely to become a starter next season alongside De’Aaron Fox, possibly leaving Paul with a reduced role if he returns to San Antonio. He’ll be a free agent again in July after signing a one-year, $10.6MM contract last summer. Brought in to be a veteran leader, Paul said he has been able to “teach what he can, but not be overwhelming” for the young roster, and it sounds like the Spurs have been happy with his influence.
“He’s a teacher at heart. People just see when he’s on the court, but there’s so much more to what he teaches,” general manager Brian Wright told Spears. “Life routine, big picture, business brand, all of it. He’s professional. He made it his home and jumped right in. We’ve had a lot of things happen this year and he’s never wavered. He’s been the same person. He’s been incredible to have him around.”
Spears notes that Paul was drawn to San Antonio by the chance to play for coach Gregg Popovich and team up with Victor Wembanyama, but they both were hit by serious health issues. Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, and it’s uncertain if he’ll return to coaching next season. Wembanyama was shut down in February with a blood clot in his right shoulder, although he’s projected to make a full recovery.
“It’s extremely tough,” Paul said. “I’ve played against Pop for a number of years. It’s a huge reason why I came here. And so was Vic — two of the main reasons why I came here. But getting to know him the way that I have trumps any other thing that’s going on. I’m grateful for even the opportunity for the time that we did get to play together.”
Should say “Chris Paul’s wife” hopes he can continue playing next year so he can keep annoying every one else instead of her at home.
I say keep playing. You get five months off a year to spend every single 24 hour period with your family friends and whatever.
Sure the NBA job takes you away from your kids but half your games are at home.
I think he provides the spurs a lot of leadership and he’s actually having a real good year.
Wish the Warriors had this version of Paul, but I guess it was tough for him to be himself on that team.
Do you think these guys do nothing in those 5 months? They’re usually training and in the gym and doing charity/profit work. A lot of these guys also spend the season with their family 24-7 and traveling with them, so that part is wrong too.
I don’t like Chris Paul, never have. I believe Paul, Harden and Westbrook all play styles of games (at least in their primes) where they were used like Lebron, but all three don’t even have 75% of Lebron’s talent or hoop IQ, that’s why they never will win a chip. It’s ball hog style, unless you are only Lebron. Curry has never been allowed to play like those 3 did in their primes, and has the rings to prove it.
I hated when the Warriors got Paul, I knew we were cursed with CP3 just like Russ and Harden are to their teams. Now look at us once we finally rid ourselves of the most annoying player in history! Last night’s game was literally a Hollywood movie! Warriors finishing top 4, I am convinced. Borderline unstoppable vibes right now, but I’m guessing they will lose tonight because of late season back to back away, but they are cooking cooking. Curry with more 50+ point career games than Lebron while Lebron was still active…Steph is the GOAT.
Chris Paul showed his defense is not very good anymore. It’s time for him to retire.
That part is not wrong too.
They’re doing the charity work. They’re doing the other stuff.., with their families. Vacations whatever.
Sure they train in the gym but everyone trains in the gym or has a hobby and they’re still with their families every day that they want to be.
Five months is a long time. What do you mean “that part is wrong too”… you’re always wrong lol back off knucklehead.
Don’t get me started Davey. There’s times you just irk me with your loose tongue. This is one of those times.
You mean “I cant accept any criticism even when I’m proven wrong”. I’m barely going in on you here, you are just regurgitating some weird 1980s narrative that players dont see their families while theyre at work, who cares?
Gary, players aren’t off at war, they see their families every single day.
I’ll accept criticism all day long. It’s how you grow. No problem there.
But you’re just rough, irritating and difficult to read and go back-and-forth with.
I do my best with you and overlook a lot, but there are certain days when I read what you write and it’s like a foreign language, I can’t make sense of it. You state as facts things that aren’t facts, just your opinion. And that’s fine but some days it’s just not fine.
Gary, I’ll give it up for you, you saw this version of Podz before anyone. He was playing like garbage, GSW was barely a .500 team and you still were still bullish on him. Jimmy gets here, and Podz turns into Steph Curry Jr. Wow. What a transformation in such a short amount of time. Kid is barely 22 and already is improving on the levels elite players do. He’s a keeper, 100%. I am never criticizing him again. I’ve gone from “Podz is a nice trade piece for a superstar” to “Keep Podz at all costs!”
Moody is in the same boat, GSW is now an absurd 25-4 when he starts, proving his skillset is perfectly matching the Steph/Dray/Butler trio, and his defense is so spot-on, he also provides offense when needed and is just being the “Junior Kahwi” I pegged him as in his rookie year. Jimmy has advanced both of their developments with those 2 specifically in such a short amount of time. Incredible turn of events for the Warriors, the window has been lifted open at least another DECADE. Misery ahead for the opps!
I’m fine with not having CP3 as one of your favorite players, but he’s 2nd all time in assists I think, that defyes being a ball hog. Ball dominant, I think I would agree though.
Their off-season schedule is busy I think
I think it’s tough for ball dominant players, like Harden, Westbrook, and many others, especially former superstars (I would say off the court, they still are stars, as they are so known, but idk), to adapt to an off ball role. I think it’s easier to be a ball dominant player off the bench for them, than adjust to a complimentary/role playing duty, for guys as known and to the level of stardom they rose to, as them (and players of such profile).
I also think it isn’t fair to ask for their input and expect a 100% honest answer. Like, I’m not saying getting that input is a bad thing; it should be mandatory. But I also think you have to take those things with a grain of salt.
Is a wife going to tell her husband “Yes, stop living your dream and stay with us” knowing full well there’s no going back? Are the kids going to tell their super cool dad who loves playing basketball to stop doing what he loves? Maybe they can and will, and if so that’s great; being able to be that honest is the sign of a good relationship. But some people are just too kind, timid, or deferential to say what they really feel.
Ultimately you, as a person, have to read the room, understand what has been and maybe hasn’t been said (but is felt), and judge yourself on your own merits. One can always be a better parent and spend more time with their family. Are YOU happy with how much time you’re spending with them? Do YOU feel you are meeting those obligations as much as you want to? You can’t offshore all of that work via input.
And I know this specific case doesn’t apply to CP3 at all, but imagine an abusive husband asking for input from his terrified wife. He gets to say “Well, I DID ask her what she thought/wanted”, all the while knowing she will never speak the truth for fear of crossing him. Some people just know how to feign appearance.
Reunion with OKC?
Don’t we all
We keep hearing that Gregg Popovich had a “mild” stroke. It had to have been worse than a mild one for him to miss the rest of 2024/25. I suggest that the Hoopsrumors writers stop referring to it as a mild stroke, and just call it a stroke.
I still predict that he will not return to coaching next season. Although, as a long-time Spurs fan, I sure hope that he does return.
Retire and work in the front office!
That’s a good option for Chris Paul, if that’s what he wants and is ready to do. He can go a year or two years more as a player in the right situation, although I have no idea where that would be.
LBJ make some room on the banana boat. CP3 is coming your way.
Just say you want more millions and millions and millions and millions millions and millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars
Something is weird here. He wants to play forever? That behavior tells me you are running from something in your personal life. Something dark, maybe. Something you can’t or won’t confront. Follow the money…
Retire, unless you’re terrible with money.